Christian married couple's Easter mission to carry a cross from Wiltshire to Yorkshire
Featured

A MARRIED couple carried a heavy 12ft cross from Malmesbury to York to emulate Christ's Procession to Calvary in the build up to Easter.

Andrew and Adele Carnegie from Malmesbury began the mission on March 9, and completed the journey on Saturday, April 13, with a blessing at York Minster.

Walking at weekends the couple covered 200 miles visiting famous churches in towns and cities along the route.

"I thought he had gone crazy when he told me," said Adele, "but I walked with him and carried the cross for most of the weekends."

She said it was hard work and they received mixed reactions from the public. Some people offered to help while others were disrespectful and insulted them.

Andrew said: "Some of the interactions included support from the Muslim community, with questions regarding the resurrection.

"Two homeless men offered all of their money to try and buy me a coffee in Derby, so moments like that made it worthwhile."

The cross was made of a four by four plank with a seven foot cross beam with a wheel attached at the bottom to make it slightly easier to carry. They took mainly main roads but some footpaths and cycle paths as well - and they were fairly fortunate with the weather.

"We were very relieved to make it, and I did lose some weight," he said.